Atkins wins design deal for Oslo metro rail project

Atkins has won a contract to design the Oslo metro, Norway's rapid transit system.

Under the undisclosed amount of the contract, Atkins will upgrade a section on the Lambertseterbanen, one of the eastern lines, modernise the Brattelikollen and Karlsrud stations and redesign two depots and workshops for the tram and metro in Oslo.

Atkins director Håkon Dragsund said the company is involved in a number of major tramway projects across Norway and this latest work complements other upgrade and expansion projects the company is working on, including the Stavanger and Bergen light rail systems.

"Our consultancy offering in this sector has been growing over the past few years and this is evidence that our move to boost our expertise and capabilities is paying dividends by giving us the opportunity to work on the country's most complex engineering challenges."

The Oslo metro rail system is comprised of six lines that pass through the city centre, spanning about 84.2 kilometres. Line 1 of the Oslo metro network runs from Frognerseteren to Ellingsrudåsen, Line 2 runs from Østerås to Ellingsrudsåen, Line 3 runs between Sognsvann and Mortensrud while Line 4 links Rock crystal and Storo.

Line 5 of the network connects Vestli to Storo while Line 6 connects Bekkestua to Storo. The metro line serves all 15 boroughs of Oslo, two lines run to Bærum serving about 268,000 passengers a day.

Oslo metro network has 105 stations, out of which 16 are underground or indoors and remaining are above ground.

Previously, the UK-based company carried out the civil works for the Dubai metro red and green lines in the UAE, as well as provided architectural and engineering design services on Crossrail, designed stations, tunnelling and track systems for Gautrain, South Africa.

Image: Oslo metro rail system comprises six lines that pass through the city centre spanning about 84.2 kilometres. Photo: T-banedrift.